The cargo theft prevention and recovery network CargoNet warned supply chain professionals that cargo theft activity would be extremely high during Thanksgiving.
According to a recent statement, CargoNet found that the average number of theft reports has increased to 51 events per week since November 2022, a 64% increase compared to historical data from January 2012 to October 2022.
Between October 1, 2023 and November 11, 2023, the average number of recorded theft reports increased to 66 reports per week, a 113% increase compared to the number of reports filed from January 2012 to October 2022.
Since October 2023, CargoNet has recorded 433 new theft events, a 101% year-over-year increase. Of those thefts, 35% of those crimes were cargo thefts, fictitious pickups or identity fraud.
Over half of the reported strategic cargo thefts (56%) took place in California with Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties having the most frequent cargo thefts.
CargoNet has also found an increase in theft of unattended, loaded conveyances across the U.S. since October 2023.
“CargoNet believes that the risk during this upcoming holiday is unlike any recent year. Strategic cargo theft groups over the past year have shown that they ramp up activity around major holidays because they understand logistics brokers will be under pressure and more likely to make mistakes,” a statement from the company reads. “CargoNet is concerned recent spikes in theft of unattended, loaded conveyances, particularly in Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, and Southern California will continue into the holiday.”
CargoNet has tracked theft reports since November 2022.
